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Abstract:

A developer of an image-forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a
housing comprising a waste toner container in which waste toner removed
from the photoconductor is contained, and a recessed portion depressed
downwardly in a center portion of an upper wall of the waste toner
container, the center portion corresponding to a center portion of the
photoconductor in a lengthwise direction to move toner away from the
center portion.

Claims:

1. A developer unit to be detached from a main body of an image forming
apparatus, the developer comprising: a photoconductor; and a housing
comprising a waste toner container to receive waste toner from the
photoconductor; wherein an upper wall of the waste toner container
includes a recessed portion depressed downwardly towards the
photoconductor in a center portion of the upper wall, the center portion
corresponding to a center portion of the photoconductor in an end-to-end
lengthwise direction of the photoconductor, the waste toner container
comprises a cleaning unit in which a cleaning member is installed, and a
container spaced apart from the cleaning unit to contain the waste toner
transferred from the cleaning unit by a waste toner transporting member,
and a gap between the side walls of the recessed portion gradually
increases in a direction from the cleaning unit toward the container.

2. The developer unit of claim 1, wherein a gap between side walls of the
recessed portion in the lengthwise direction of the photoconductor
gradually decreases in a downward direction.

3. The developer unit of claim 1, wherein the waste toner transporting
member moves back and forth in a first direction corresponding to an axis
passing through the cleaning unit and the container and upward and
downward generally perpendicularly to the first direction.

4. The developer unit of claim 3, further comprising: a rotation member
located in the container and comprising an eccentricity unit, wherein the
housing comprises a support unit having an inclined part that is inclined
upward in the first direction toward the container from the cleaning
unit, and the waste toner transporting member comprises a support
protrusion that contacts the support unit by sliding, an end part of the
waste toner transporting member being connected to the eccentricity unit
and moving back and forth and upward and downward due to a rotation of
the rotation member.

5. The developer unit of claim 4, wherein the waste toner transporting
member comprises a plurality of horizontal ribs that are spaced apart
from each other in the first direction and defining a plurality of spaces
between the plurality of horizontal ribs to transport the waste toner.

6. The developer of claim 5, wherein widths of the spaces gradually
decrease in the first direction from the cleaning unit toward the
container.

7. The developer unit of claim 1, further comprising a customer
replaceable unit monitor CRUM unit comprising a central processing unit
CPU which performs at least one of authentication and encrypted data
communication with the main body of the image forming apparatus by using
its own operating system O/S.

8. The developer unit of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a toner
container for containing toner, a developing portion in which a
developing roller to supply toner to the photoconductor is installed, and
a toner supply window connecting the toner container to the developing
portion, and the developer comprises: a pair of rails disposed on the
toner supply window and extending in a lengthwise direction of the
developing roller; and a blocking member comprising a blocking portion
which opens/closes the toner supply window by being removed from or
inserted into the pair of rails from the outside of the housing via an
insertion hole prepared on an outer sidewall of the housing to be aligned
with the rails.

9. The developer unit of claim 8, wherein the blocking member comprises a
bent portion extended from the blocking portion and disposed at the
outside of the housing while the blocking portion is inserted in the
rails.

10. The developer unit of claim 9, further comprising a customer
replaceable unit monitor CRUM unit comprising a central processing unit
CPU which performs at least one of authentication and encrypted data
communication with the main body of the image forming apparatus by using
its own operating system O/S, wherein the CRUM unit is exposed to the
outside via the outer sidewalls of the housing for electrically
connecting to the main body of the image forming apparatus and the bent
portion covers the CRUM unit while the blocking portion is inserted in
the rails.

11. The developer unit of claim 10, further comprising a securing portion
disposed on the outer sidewalls of the housing, the securing portion
securing the bent portion while the blocking portion covers the CRUM
unit.

12. The developer unit of claim 9, wherein the bent portion is bent
parallel to the outer sidewalls of the housing.

13. The developer unit of claim 9, wherein the bent portion is divided
from the blocking portion by a bending line and is bent parallel to the
outer sidewalls of the housing along the bending line.

14. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a main
body; and the developer unit of claim 1.

15. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus of claim 14, wherein
a gap between side walls of the recessed portion in the lengthwise
direction of the photoconductor gradually decreases in a downward
direction.

16. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus of claim 14, further
comprising a customer replaceable unit monitor CRUM unit comprising a
central processing unit CPU which performs at least one of authentication
and encrypted data communication with the main body of the image forming
apparatus by using its own operating system O/S.

17. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus of claim 14, wherein
the housing comprises a toner container for containing toner, a
developing portion in which a developing roller to supply toner to the
photoconductor is installed, and a toner supply window connecting the
toner container to the developing portion, and the developer comprises: a
pair of rails disposed on the toner supply window and extending in a
lengthwise direction of the developing roller; and a blocking member
comprising a blocking portion which opens/closes the toner supply window
by being removed from or inserted into the pair of rails from the outside
of the housing via an insertion hole prepared on an outer sidewall of the
housing to be aligned with the rails.

18. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus of claim 17, wherein
the blocking member comprises a bent portion extended from the blocking
portion and disposed at the outside of the housing while the blocking
portion is inserted in the rails.

19. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus of claim 18, further
comprising a customer replaceable unit monitor CRUM unit comprising a
central processing unit CPU which performs at least one of authentication
and encrypted data communication with the main body of the image forming
apparatus by using its own operating system O/S, wherein the CRUM unit is
exposed to the outside via the outer sidewalls of the housing for
electrically connecting to the main body of the image forming apparatus
and the bent portion covers the CRUM unit while the blocking portion is
inserted in the rails.

20. The developer unit of claim 19, further comprising a securing portion
disposed on the outer sidewalls of the housing, the securing portion
securing the bent portion while the blocking portion covers the CRUM
unit.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a Continuation application of prior application Ser. No.
12/872,080 filed on Aug. 31, 2010 in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application
No. 10-2010-0070473, filed on Jul. 21, 2010, Korean Patent Application
No. 10-2010-0005758, filed on Jan. 21, 2010, and Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2010-0006500, field on Jan. 25, 2010, in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present general inventive concept relates to a developer which
may be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus and an
image forming apparatus including the developer.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus prints images on a
recording medium through several processes, which may include irradiating
light modulated according to image information onto a photoconductor to
form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor,
supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image to develop the
electrostatic latent image into a visible toner image, and transferring
and fixing the toner image onto the recording medium. The
electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing device
which contains toner.

[0006] The photoconductor and the toner may be provided in the form of a
replaceable cartridge that is commonly referred to as a `developer`. When
the toner in the developer is exhausted, the developer may be removed
from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and replaced with a
new developer.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present general inventive concept provides a developer having
an improved structure including a container for storing waste toner
removed from a photoconductor after developing and an image forming
apparatus including the developer.

[0008] The present general inventive concept also provides a developer
which may prevent toner included therein from being leaked before the
developer is installed to an image forming apparatus and an image forming
apparatus including the developer.

[0009] The present general inventive concept also provides a developer
having improved security which may be attached to and detached from an
image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the
developer.

[0010] Additional aspects and utilities of the present general inventive
concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and,
in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the present general inventive concept.

[0011] Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept
may be achieved by a developer attached to and detached from a main body
of an image forming apparatus, the developer including a photoconductor,
and a housing including a waste toner container to receive waste toner
from the photoconductor. The housing may include an upper wall having a
recessed portion depressed downwardly in a center portion of the upper
wall of the waste toner container, the center portion corresponding to a
center portion of the photoconductor in a lengthwise direction.

[0012] A gap between side walls of the recessed portion may gradually
decrease in a downward direction.

[0013] The waste toner container may include a cleaning unit in which a
cleaning member is installed, and a container spaced apart from the
cleaning unit to contain the waste toner transferred from the cleaning
unit by a waste toner transporting member. A gap between both side walls
of the recessed portion may gradually increase from the cleaning unit
toward the container.

[0014] The waste toner transporting member may move back and forth and
upward and downward.

[0015] The developer may further include a rotation member installed in
the container and including an eccentricity unit, wherein the housing may
include a support unit of which at least a part thereof is inclined
upward toward the container from the cleaning unit. The waste toner
transporting member may include a support protrusion that contacts the
support unit by sliding. An end part of the waste toner transporting
member may be combined with the eccentricity unit to move back and forth
and upward and downward due to a rotation of the rotation member.

[0016] The waste toner transporting member may include a plurality of
horizontal ribs that are spaced apart from each other in a direction of
the back-and-forth movement, and a plurality of spaces to transport the
waste toner may be formed between the plurality of horizontal ribs.

[0017] Widths of the spaces may gradually decrease in a direction from the
cleaning unit toward the container.

[0018] The developer may further include a customer replaceable unit
monitor (CRUM) unit including a central processing unit (CPU) which
performs at least one of authentication and encrypted data communication
with the main body of the image forming apparatus by using its own
operating system (O/S).

[0019] The housing may include a toner container, a developing portion in
which a developing roller to supply toner to the photoconductor is
installed, and a toner supply window connecting the toner container to
the developing portion. The developer may include a pair of rails located
on the toner supply window to extend in a lengthwise direction of the
developing roller and a blocking member including a blocking portion
which opens/closes the toner supply window by being inserted into or
removed from the pair of rails from the outside of the housing via an
insertion hole prepared on an outer sidewall of the housing to be aligned
with the rails.

[0020] The blocking member may include a bent portion extended from the
blocking portion and disposed at the outside of the housing while the
blocking portion is inserted in the rails.

[0021] The developer may further include a customer replaceable unit
monitor (CRUM) unit including a central processing unit (CPU) which
performs at least one of authentication and encrypted data communication
with the main body of the image forming apparatus by using its own
operating system (O/S). The CRUM unit may be exposed to the outside via
the outer sidewalls of the housing to electrically connect to the main
body of the image forming apparatus and the bent portion covers the CRUM
unit while the blocking portion is inserted in the rails. The bent
portion may be bent parallel to the outer sidewalls of the housing. The
bent portion may be divided from the blocking portion by a bending line
and may be bent parallel to the outer sidewalls of the housing along the
bending line. The developer may further include a securing portion
disposed on the outer sidewalls of the housing to secure the bent portion
while the blocking portion covers the CRUM unit. A toner leakage
prevention member which is an elastic member and covers the insertion
hole may be attached to the outer sidewalls of the housing.

[0022] Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept
may also be realized by an electrophotographic image forming apparatus
including a main body; and the developer attached to and detached from
the main body.

[0023] Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept
may include a developer unit including a photoconductor to form an image
thereon, a housing including a waste toner container to receive waste
toner from the photoconductor, and a support member to transmit the waste
toner from the photoconductor to the waste toner container. The housing
may include an upper wall to cover at least portions of the
photoconductor, the support member, and the waste toner container, and
the upper wall may include a substantially planar surface and a recessed
portion recessed inward from the plane of the substantially planar
surface to be closer to the support member than the substantially planar
surface, the recessed portion located at a center of the upper wall in a
lengthwise direction, the lengthwise direction corresponding to an
end-to-end length of the photoconductor.

[0024] A length of a gap separating side walls of the recessed portion in
the lengthwise direction may decrease in a downward direction toward the
support member.

[0025] The side walls of the recessed portion may have one of a convex and
a concave shape in a downward direction.

[0026] A length of a gap separating side walls of the recessed portion in
the lengthwise direction may increase in a front-to-back direction from
the photoconductor towards the waste toner container.

[0027] The side walls of the recessed portion may have one of a convex and
a concave shape in the lengthwise direction.

[0028] The bottom surface of the recessed portion may have one of a convex
and a concave shape in a downward direction.

[0029] Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept
may include a photoconductor to form an image thereon, a toner storage
portion to supply toner to the photoconductor, and a toner waste removal
portion to remove waste toner from the photoconductor. The toner storage
portion may be spaced apart from the toner waste removal portion, and
light to form the image on the photoconductor may be transmitted between
the toner storage portion and the toner waste removal portion to the
photoconductor.

[0030] Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept
may also be realized by a developer unit including a photoconductor to
form an image thereon, a toner storage portion to supply toner to the
photoconductor, the toner storage portion including a toner container to
store the toner and a supply roller to supply the toner from the toner
storage container to the photoconductor. The supply roller may be mounted
to a side wall of the developer unit via a shaft, the side wall having a
first side facing the supply roller and a second side opposite the first
side, a blocking member may be attached to the shaft on the second side
of the side wall, and a sealing member may be located on the second side
of the side wall to fix the blocking member to the second side of the
side wall.

[0031] The second side of the side wall may include a recess corresponding
to a size of the blocking member, and the sealing member may fill the
recess.

[0032] The blocking member may be only a single washer.

[0033] Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept
may also be realized by an image-forming apparatus including an exposing
unit to emit a light, and a developer unit to receive the light from the
exposing unit and to apply a toner to a recording medium according to the
received light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The above and other features and utilities of the present general
inventive concept will become more apparent by describing in detail
exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in
which:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

[0036]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a developer according to an embodiment of
the present general inventive concept;

[0037]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the developer of FIG. 2 from which an
upper frame is removed, according to an embodiment of the present general
inventive concept;

[0038] FIGS. 4 through 7 are diagrams to illustrate operation of a waste
toner transporting member;

[0039]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram of a front end part of a waste
toner transporting member;

[0040]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the developer of FIG. 2 including a
recessed portion;

[0041] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional diagram of the developer of FIG. 9
cut along the line E1-E2 of FIG. 9;

[0042] FIGS. 10B and 10C illustrate cross-sectional diagrams of the
developer of FIG. 9 cut along the line E1-E2 according to additional
embodiments of the present general inventive concept;

[0055]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a blocking member according to an
embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

[0056] FIG. 22 is a side view of the blocking member of FIG. 21 in which a
bending line is formed;

[0057] FIGS. 23A and 23B are cross-sectional diagrams of the developer of
FIG. 19 cut along the line H1-H2 of FIG. 20;

[0058]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the developer of FIG. 19 in which
a blocking member is inserted to a housing through an insertion hole
prepared on an outer side wall of the housing;

[0059]FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional diagram of the developer of FIG. 19
which stands to collect toner in a developing unit in a toner container
after a performance test;

[0060]FIG. 26 is a side view of the developer of FIG. 19 in which a bend
portion of a blocking member covers a customer replaceable unit monitor
(CRUM) unit; and

[0061]FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a CRUM unit according to an
embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Hereinafter, a developer and an image forming apparatus of the
present general inventive concept will be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of
the present general inventive concept are shown. Like reference numerals
refer to the like elements throughout.

[0063] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present general inventive concept and FIG. 2 is a
diagram of a developer 100 included in the image forming apparatus of
FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present general inventive
concept. The developer 100 according to the current embodiment is an
integration-type developer including a photoconductive drum 1 and a
developing roller 3.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 2, the photoconductive drum 1, an example of a
photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, includes
a cylindrical metal pipe and a photoconductive layer formed on the
circumference of the cylindrical metal pipe. A charging roller 2 is an
example of a charger which charges the surface of the photoconductive
drum 1 with a uniform electric potential. A charging bias voltage is
applied to the charging roller 2. A corona charger (not illustrated) may
be used instead of the charging roller 2. The developing roller 3 applies
toner T to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the
photoconductive drum 1 and develops the electrostatic image into a toner
image. In the current embodiment, a contact development method is used,
wherein the developing roller 3 and the photoconductive drum 1 contact
each other to form a development nip D. In this case, the developing
roller 3 may include an elastic layer (not illustrated) formed on the
circumference of a conductive metal core (not illustrated). When a
developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller 3, toner T is
transferred and attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the
surface of the photoconductive drum 1 through the development nip D. In
this case, the developing roller 3 may include an elastic layer (not
illustrated) formed on the circumference of a conductive metal core (not
illustrated). When a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing
roller 3, toner T is transferred and attached to the electrostatic latent
image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 1 through the
development nip D. If a non-contact development method is used, the
surface of the developing roller 3 and the surface of the photoconductive
drum 1 are spaced apart from each other by an interval of about few
hundreds microns.

[0065] The developer 100 may further include a supply roller 4 for
attaching toner T to the developing roller 3. A supply bias voltage may
be applied to the supply roller 4 in order to attach toner T to the
developing roller 3. A regulator 5 regulates an amount of toner T
attached to the developing roller 3. The regulator 5 may be, for example,
a regulator blade having a front end that contacts the developing roller
3 with a predetermined pressure. A cleaning member 6 removes the
remaining toner T and foreign bodies from the surface of the
photoconductive drum 1 before charging. The cleaning member 6 may be, for
example, a cleaning blade of which front end contacts the surface of the
photoconductive drum 1. Hereinafter, the foreign bodies removed from the
surface of the photoconductive drum 1 are referred to waste toner.

[0066] The developer 100 may include a toner container 10 and a waste
toner container 20. The waste toner container 20 stores waste toner
removed from the surface of the photoconductive drum 1. The developer 100
illustrated in FIG. 2 uses a one-component developing agent, toner T. The
toner T is stored in the toner container 10. The toner container 10
includes an agitator 7 that transfers toner T to the developing roller 3.
The agitator 7 may agitate toner T and charge the toner T with a
predetermined electric potential. In FIG. 1, one agitator 7 is
illustrated, however, the present general inventive concept is not
limited thereto. An appropriate number of agitators 7 may be installed in
an appropriate position of the toner container 10 in order to efficiently
supply toner T to the developing roller 3 in consideration of the
capacity and shape of the toner container 10. The agitator 7 may include
one or more agitating blades 7a in the form of a flexible film on a
rotation shaft. The agitator 7 may be an auger having a spiral blade.

[0067] When a two-component developing agent including a toner T and
carrier is used, the toner container 10 stores magnetic carrier and toner
T. In this case, the developing roller 3 may include a magnet in a
rotating sleeve. Due to the magnetic force of the magnet, the carrier is
attached to the circumference of the developing roller 3 and the toner T
is attached to the carrier by an electrostatic force so that a magnetic
brush formed of carrier and toner T is formed on the circumference of the
developing roller 3. Due to the developing bias voltage applied to the
developing roller 3, only toner T is transferred to the electrostatic
latent image formed on the photoconductive drum 1. The regulator 5 is
spaced apart from the surface of the developing roller 3 by a
predetermined distance and regulates a height of the magnetic brush
formed on the circumference of the developing roller 3. The agitator 7
transfers the carrier and toner T to the developing roller 3. The
agitator 7 may also agitate the carrier and toner T, thereby
friction-charging the toner T.

[0068] A housing 90 of the developer 100 may include a lower frame 91 and
an upper frame 92. A part of the photoconductive drum 1 is exposed to the
outside of the housing 90 through openings 93. First and second inside
frames 94 and 95 may be included in the housing 90. The lower frame 91
and the first inside frame 94 constitute the toner container 10, and the
upper frame 92 and the second inside frame 95 constitute the waste toner
container 20. The first inside frame 94 and the second inside frame 95
are spaced apart from each other and an optical path 30, along which
light L scanned from an exposing unit 200 of FIG. 2 to expose the
photoconductive drum 1 travels, is formed between the first inside frame
94 and the second inside frame 95.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 1, the developer 100 is installed in a main body
700 of the image forming apparatus through a door 701. The exposing unit
200 scans light L modulated according to image information onto the
surface of the photoconductive drum 1 charged by a uniform electric
potential. For example, a laser scanning unit (LSU) may be used as the
exposing unit 200. The LSU deflects light irradiated from a laser diode
to a main scanning direction by using a polygon mirror and scans the
deflected light onto the photoconductive drum 1.

[0070] A transfer roller 300 is a transfer unit located to face the
surface of the photoconductive drum 1 and forms a transfer nip. A
transfer bias voltage for transferring a toner image developed on the
surface of the photoconductive drum 1 to a recording medium P is applied
to the transfer roller 300. A corona transfer unit may be used instead of
the transfer roller 300.

[0071] The toner image transferred onto the surface of the recording
medium P by the transfer roller 300 remains on the surface of the
recording medium P due to electrostatic attraction. A fixing unit or
fusing unit 400 fixes the toner image to the recording medium P by
applying heat and pressure to the toner image and a permanent printed
image is formed on the recording medium P.

[0072] A process of forming an image when the apparatus of FIG. 1 is used
is briefly described below. A charging bias voltage is applied to the
charging roller 2 and the photoconductive drum 1 is charged with a
uniform electric potential. The exposing unit 200 scans light modulated
in correspondence to image information onto the photoconductive drum 1
through the optical path 30 in the developer 100 and forms an
electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductive drum 1.
Toner T is transferred toward the supply roller 4 by the agitator 7 and
the supply roller 4 attaches the toner T to the surface of the developing
roller 3. The regulator 5 forms a toner layer having a uniform thickness
on the surface of the developing roller 3. A developing bias voltage is
applied to the developing roller 3. As the developing roller 3 rotates,
the toner T transferred to the development nip D is transferred and
attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the
photoconductive drum 1 by a developing bias voltage so that a visible
toner image is formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 1. The
recording medium P withdrawn from a recording medium tray 501 by a pickup
roller 502 is transferred by a feeding roller 503 to a transfer nip that
faces the transfer roller 300 and the photoconductive drum 1. When a
transfer bias voltage is applied to the transfer roller 300, the toner
image is transferred to the recording medium P due to electrostatic
attraction. Then, the toner image transferred to the recording medium P
is fixed onto the recording medium P by the fixing unit 400 that applies
heat and pressure to the toner image and thus printing is completed. The
recording medium P is discharged by a discharge roller 504. Toner T that
is not transferred to the recording medium P and remains on the
photoconductive drum 1 is removed by the cleaning member 6 and is stored
in the waste toner container 20.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 2, the waste toner container 20 may include a
cleaning unit or area 21, a waste toner storage area 23, and a connecting
unit or area 22. In the cleaning unit 21, the photoconductive drum 1 and
the cleaning member 6 contact each other to remove the waste toner. The
storage area 23 is spaced apart from the cleaning area 21, and the
connecting area 22 connects the cleaning area 21 and the storage area 23.
The waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductive drum 1 is
piled up on the cleaning area 21 until it fully fills the cleaning area
21 and is gradually transferred to the connecting area 22 and the storage
area 23. After printing of an image is completed, an internal temperature
of the image forming apparatus gradually decreases by residual heat of
the fixing unit 400. Thus, the waste toner in the waste toner container
20, in particular, the cleaning area 21, may be hardened by residual heat
of the fixing unit 400 and be transformed into a lump state. Also, the
lump-form waste toner is attached to the front end of the cleaning member
6 and interrupts a transfer of the waste toner to the waste toner
container 20 so that the waste toner may leak to the outside through a
gap 93a between the photoconductive drum 1 and the housing 90.

[0074] The developer 100 according to the current embodiment includes a
waste toner transporting member 60 installed in the waste toner container
20 to transfer the waste toner to the storage area 23 from the cleaning
area 21. The waste toner transporting member 60 according to the current
embodiment moves back and forth in the waste toner container 20 in
directions A1 and A2. In addition, a front end part 64 of the waste toner
transporting member 60 moves perpendicularly (directions B1 and B2) to
the back-and-forth movement in the cleaning area 21, that is, upward and
downward. Due to a combination of the back-and-forth movement of the
waste toner transporting member 60 and the upward-and-downward movement
of the front end part 64, the lump waste toner in the cleaning area 21 is
crushed. Due to the back-and-forth movement of the waste toner
transporting member 60, the waste toner is moved to the storage area 23
from the cleaning area 21.

[0075]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the developer 100 of FIG. 2 from which the
upper frame 92 is removed, according to an embodiment of the present
general inventive concept. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a rotation member
70 including an eccentricity unit 71 that is eccentric or offset with
respect to the rotation center C of the rotation member 70 is installed
in the developer 100. The rotation member 70 may be located in the waste
toner storage area 23. A gear 72 is installed at one end of the rotation
member 70. When the developer 100 is installed in the image forming
apparatus, the gear 72 is connected to a driving unit (not illustrated)
included in the image forming apparatus and is rotated.

[0076] The waste toner transporting member 60 extends toward the cleaning
area 21 from the storage area 23. The one end of the waste toner
transporting member 60, that is, an end 61 located in the storage area
23, is connected to the eccentricity unit 71 so as to be rotated. The
waste toner transporting member 60 may include a plurality of horizontal
ribs 62 that are spaced apart from each other in the back-and-forth
movement directions A1 and A2 and which extend along the horizontal axis
F. As the waste toner is inserted into spaces 63 interposed between the
plurality of horizontal ribs 62 when the waste toner transporting member
60 moves back and forth, the waste toner is moved to the storage area 23
from the cleaning area 21 through the connecting area 22.

[0077] The connecting area 22 includes a support unit 50 that supports the
waste toner transporting member 60. The support unit 50 contacts the
waste toner transporting member 60 and guides the waste toner
transporting member 60 to be moved back and forth and upward and
downward. The support unit 50 may be disposed below the waste toner
transporting member 60. The waste toner transporting member 60 may
include a support protrusion 65 that contacts the support unit 50 by
sliding. One or more support protrusion 65 may be arranged in a
transverse direction, or along the horizontal axis F. The support unit 50
may include an inclined portion 51 and an extended portion 52. The
inclined portion 51 is inclined upward from the cleaning area 21 toward
the container 23. The extended portion 52 extends toward the waste toner
storage area 23 from the inclined portion 51 and has an inclination angle
that is gentler than that of the inclined portion 51. The support unit 50
may be a bracket to fix or attach the cleaning member 6 to the housing
90. That is, the cleaning member 6 is installed at the bracket and the
bracket may be installed at the housing 90, for example, the second
inside frame 95. According to the above structure, the form of the
support unit 50 may be changed just by correcting a bracket and thus a
motion of the waste toner transporting member 60 may be changed so as to
efficiently transfer waste toner.

[0078] FIGS. 4 through 7 are diagrams to explain operation of the waste
toner transporting member 60. Referring to FIG. 4, the waste toner
transporting member 60 is located in a retreated position toward the rear
wall of the waste toner storage area 23 in the direction A2. The
eccentricity unit 71 of the rotation member 70 is located at a right dead
point of the eccentricity unit 71, or an extreme rotation point of the
eccentricity unit 71 in the direction A2. The support protrusion 65 of
the waste toner transporting member 60 is supported by the extended
portion 52 of the support unit 50. When the rotation member 70 is rotated
in a counter-clockwise direction, the waste toner transporting member 60
is supported by the extended portion 52 and moves forward to the cleaning
unit 21 in the direction A1. Also, as the eccentricity unit 71 moves
toward a top dead point, or an apex in the direction G2, the location of
the end 61 gradually moves upward in the direction B2. Thus, the waste
toner transporting member 60 rotates with the support protrusion 65 as a
support point so that the front end part 64 of the waste toner
transporting member 60 rotates downward, that is, the direction B1.
Accordingly, the front end part 64 of the waste toner transporting member
60 moves forward in the direction A1 and gradually drops in the direction
B1.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the eccentricity unit 71 of the
rotation member 70 passes the top dead point, the support protrusion 65
is supported by the inclined portion 51. Then, the waste toner
transporting member 60 is guided by the inclined portion 51 and moves
downward toward the cleaning area 21. Due to the forward movement in the
direction A1 and the downward movement in the direction B1, the front end
part 64 of the waste toner transporting member 60 penetrates the waste
toner contained in the cleaning area 21 and crushes the lump waste toner
so that the waste toner is filled in the spaces 63 interposed between the
plurality of ribs 62.

[0080] As the rotation member 70 is rotated and the eccentricity unit 71
of the rotation member 70 moves toward a left dead point, or to an
extreme point in the direction A1, the location of the end 61 is
gradually changed in a downward direction. Thus, the waste toner
transporting member 60 rotates with the support protrusion 65 as a
support point so that the front end part 64 of the waste toner
transporting member 60 rotates upward, that is, the direction B2.

[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 6, after the eccentricity unit 71 of the
rotation member 70 reaches the left dead point, the waste toner
transporting member 60 changes its moving direction and moves in the
direction A2, that is, toward the rear of the waste toner storage area
23. The front end 64 part of the waste toner transporting member 60 is
moved upward in the direction B2.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the eccentricity unit 71 of the
rotation member 70 passes a lower dead point, or a nadir in the direction
B1, the support protrusion 65 is supported by the extended portion 52
again. When the eccentricity unit 71 moves toward the right dead point,
or an extreme point in the direction A2, as illustrated in FIG. 4, due to
the rotation of the rotation member 70, the waste toner is inserted into
the spaces 63 interposed between the plurality of horizontal ribs 62 and
is transferred to the waste toner container 20.

[0083] As described above, while the waste toner transporting member 60
moves back and forth in the directions A1 and A2, the front end part 64
of the waste toner transporting member 60 moves upward and downward in
the directions B1 and B2 in the cleaning area 21. Due to a combination of
the back-and-forth movement and the upward-and-downward movement, the
lump waste toner in the cleaning area 21 is crushed and easily moved to
the waste toner container 20. Also, as the support protrusion 65 contacts
the support unit 50 by a sliding motion, the back-and-forth movement and
upward-and-downward movement of the waste toner transporting member 60
are guided and thus the waste toner transporting member 60 may be easily
assembled.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 8, as the waste toner transporting member 60
moves back and forth, the waste toner moves to the waste toner storage
area 23 sequentially through a space 63a, a space 63b, and a space 63c.
Chamfered portions 66 may be prepared on the edges of the plurality of
ribs 62 toward the cleaning area 21. Accordingly, when the waste toner
transporting member 60 moves to the cleaning area 21, that is, in the
direction A1, the waste toner may easily pass the chamfered portions 66
and may be easily inserted into the spaces 63a, 63b, and 63c interposed
between the plurality of ribs 62. If the plurality of ribs 62 have the
same the thickness T and the spaces 63a, 63b, and 63c have the same
widths W, a stroke length of the waste toner transporting member 60 may
be set to be larger than T+W.

[0085] When the waste toner remains in the spaces 63a, 63b, and 63c, the
waste toner that is left in the spaces 63b and 63c may harden when the
image forming apparatus does not operate. Accordingly, after an image
forming process is completed and the back-and-forth movement of the waste
toner transporting member 60 is completed, it is preferable that the
waste toner should not remain in the spaces 63a, 63b, and 63c. If the
widths W of the spaces 63b and 63c are larger than that of the space 63a
and the stroke length of the waste toner transporting member 60 is not
long enough for the space 63a to cover the space 63b or for the space 63b
to cover the space 63c with the stroke length, the waste toner that is
not transferred remains always in the spaces 63b and 63c. To prevent such
an occurrence, the widths of the spaces 63a, 63b, and 63c may
sequentially decrease. In other words, the length of the space 63a may be
greater than that of the space 63b, and the width of the space 63b may be
greater than that of the space 63c. A stroke length of the waste toner
transporting member 60 may be set to be larger than the sum of the width
of the space 63a and the thickness T of the horizontal rib 62.
Accordingly, the waste toner may be accurately and sequentially moved to
the storage area 23 through the spaces 63a, 63b, and 63c due to the
back-and-forth movement of the waste toner transporting member 60. In
order to set the widths of the spaces 63a, 63b, and 63c to decrease
sequentially, the thickness T of each of the horizontal ribs 62 may be
set to gradually increase from the cleaning area 21 to the storage area
23, in the direction A2, if intervals L1 between the plurality of
horizontal ribs 62 are the same as each other. A stroke length of the
waste toner transporting member 60 may be set to be larger than intervals
L1.

[0086] As the center portion of the photoconductive drum 1 in the
side-to-side lengthwise axis F is primarily used in forming an image as
compared to the end portions, waste toner may be mainly generated in the
center portion. The waste toner removed from the photoconductive drum 1
is piled up on the cleaning area 21, and an amount of waste toner
collected in the center portion of the cleaning area 21 increases. Then,
as pressure of the waste toner in the center portion of the cleaning unit
21 increases compared with end portions of the cleaning area 21, toner T
may leak through the gap 93a of FIG. 2 between the photoconductive drum 1
and the housing 90.

[0087]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the developer 100 according to an
embodiment of the present general inventive concept and FIG. 10A is a
cross-sectional diagram of the developer 100 of FIG. 9 cut along the line
E1-E2 of FIG. 9. Referring to FIGS. 2, 9, and 10A, the upper frame 92
constitutes an upper wall of the waste toner container 20. A recessed
portion 40 depressed downwardly is formed in the center portion of the
upper frame 92. The recessed portion 40 may be formed in an area
corresponding to the cleaning unit 21 of the upper frame 92, an area
corresponding to the connecting area 22, or an area throughout the
cleaning area 21 and the connecting area 22. The waste toner removed from
the surface of the photoconductive drum 1 by the cleaning member 6 fills
the cleaning area 21 and then the photoconductive drum 1 is rotated so
that the waste toner gradually moves to the waste toner storage area 23
due to the back-and-forth movement of the waste toner transporting member
60.

[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 10A, an interval G between the portion of
the waste toner container 20 where the recessed portion 40 is formed and
the support unit 50 is narrower than intervals between the both portions
of the waste toner container 20 where the recessed portion 40 is not
formed and the support unit 50. In other words, the height H2 between a
bottom 43 of the recessed portion 40 and the support member 50 is less
than a height H1 between a substantially planar upper surface 92a of the
upper frame 92 and the support member 50. Accordingly, as illustrated by
the arrow F, the waste toner is pushed out to either side of the recessed
portion 40 and is dispersed to the edge of the waste toner container 20.
Thus, pressure of the waste toner may be prevented from increasing in the
center portions of the waste toner container 20 and the photoconductive
drum 1.

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 10A, walls 41 and 42 of the recessed portion
40 may be inclined so that the waste toner can be easily dispersed. That
is, the recessed portion 40 may be formed so that the space between the
walls 41 and 42 decreases in a downward direction B1. In particular, the
width W5 of the bottom surface 43 of the recessed portion 40 is less than
a width W6 of a top of the recessed portion 40.

[0090] As illustrated in FIGS. 10B and 10C, the side walls 41 and 42 and
the bottom surface 43 of the recessed portion 40 may have a convex shape,
as illustrated in FIG. 10B or a concave shape, as illustrated in FIG.
10C. However, the surfaces may have any appropriate shape, including
combinations of convex and concave shapes within a same recessed portion
40.

[0091] Also, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, a distance between the walls 41
and 42 of the recessed portion 40 may increase in the direction A2 from
the cleaning unit 21 to the connecting area 22. That is, the width W3 at
the side closest to the cleaning area 21 may be smaller than the width W4
at the side of the recessed portion 40 closest to the connecting area 22.

[0092] As illustrated in FIGS. 11B and 11C, respectively, the side walls
41 and 42 may have concave or convex shapes, as viewed from a top of the
developer unit 100. In addition, the side walls 41 and 42 may have any
other appropriate shape.

[0093] As further illustrated in FIGS. 11D and 11E, a height of the bottom
surface 43 of the recessed portion 40 may gradually approach the support
member 50 in a direction A2 from a front of the developer 100 to a rear
of the developer 100. As illustrated in FIG. 11D, a rear wall 44 of the
recessed portion may be a straight vertical line. Alternatively, FIG. 11E
illustrates a slanted rear wall 44. In addition, the rear wall 44 may
have a convex or concave shape.

[0094] In addition, FIGS. 11F and 11G, respectively, illustrate that the
bottom surface 43 of the recessed portion 40 may have a concave shape or
a convex shape. In each case, the recessed portion 40 has a front surface
in the direction A1 that is flush with the substantially planar outer
wall 92a. Each location of the recessed portion 40 farther in the
direction A2 from the front surface of the recessed portion 40 has a
lower surface 43 than each location in the direction A1. In other words,
a portion of the recessed portion 40 that is farther in the direction A2
towards the rear of the developer unit 100 is further recessed from the
upper surface 92a and closer to the support member 50 than a portion
farther in the direction A1.

[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the recessed portion 40 has a width W4
at its widest point, which is the point farthest in the rear direction
A2. The width W4 may be less than a width of the upper frame 92 of the
housing 90. For example, the width W4 may be one third or less the width
of the upper frame 92 of the housing. Alternatively, since the recessed
portion 40 reduces pressure corresponding to waste toner from the
photoconductive unit or drum 1, the width W4 may be less than the width
of the photoconductive drum 1, or the width W4 of the recessed portion
may be one third or less the width of the photoconductive drum 1.

[0096] The recessed portion 40 may further have a length L2 in the
front-back direction A1-A2. The length L2 of the recessed portion 40 may
be less than a combined length of the cleaning unit or area 21 and the
connecting unit or area 22. For example, a front end of the recessed
portion 40 may begin over the cleaning area 21 and the rear end of the
recessed portion 40 may end over the connecting area 22. Alternatively,
the entire recessed portion 40 may be located over the connecting area
22.

[0097] Rollers such as the developing roller 3 and the supply roller 4 are
installed in the housing 90. The developing and supply rollers 3 and 4
are exposed to the outside of the housing 90 so as to receive a rotation
force. The exposed parts of the developing and supply rollers 3 and 4 may
be finally supported by support plates 900 combined with side walls of
the housing 90 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0098] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the supply roller 4 may
include a body 402 mounted on a rotation shaft 401. The body 402 may be
an elastic body formed of, for example, urethane rubber. The rotation
shaft 401 of the supply roller 4 is exposed to the outside through an
insertion hole 902 in a side wall 901 of the housing 90. However, toner T
contained in the housing 90 may leak through a gap between the rotation
shaft 401 of the supply roller 4 and the insertion hole 902 and thus a
sealing structure to prevent leakage of toner T is required.

[0099] In FIG. 12, a sealing member 420 is placed in the side wall 901 of
the housing 90 in order to prevent leakage of toner T through a gap
between the insertion hole 902 and the rotation shaft 401. The sealing
member 420 according to the current embodiment is formed of a foam-type
sealing material which is injected in a liquid state, instantly foamed,
solidified, and formed into the sealing member 420. The foam-type sealing
material may be a urethane form. A sealing washer 410 is interposed
between the side wall 901 of the housing 90 and the sealing member 420
and blocks the liquid state foam-type sealing material from flowing into
the housing 90 through the insertion hole 902, when the foam-type sealing
material is injected.

[0100] Hereinafter, the sealing structure illustrated in FIG. 12 is
described more fully.

[0101] Firstly, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the sealing washer 410 is
inserted on the rotation shaft 401 of the supply roller 4.

[0102] Then, the supply roller 4 is mounted to the housing 90. For
example, the supply roller 4 may be mounted to the lower frame 91 before
the lower frame has been connected with the upper frame 92. In FIG. 14,
the insertion hole 902 may have a cut upper portion to allow the rotation
shaft 401 to be easily inserted therein. Through the cut upper portion,
the supply roller 4, to which the sealing washer 410 is attached, is
mounted the housing 90. Then, the sealing washer 410 is pushed toward the
rotation shaft 401, that is, in direction H, until it contacts an outside
area 903 of the side wall 901 in FIG. 12.

[0103] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 15, an elastic side sealing member
430, for example, a sponge or rubber, may be attached to a contact
surface 904 of FIG. 14 on the side wall 901, if necessary. The side
sealing member 430 contacts the side-end portion of the developing roller
3 mounted to the housing 90 after assembling of the supply roller 4 is
completed.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 16, a mold 440 is mounted to the housing 90.
A liquid state foam-type sealing material is injected into a space 421
defined by the mold 440 and the side wall 901 of the housing 90. As the
volume of the injected foam-type sealing material increases due to the
foaming of the foam-type sealing material, the sealing washer 410 is
pushed and adheres to the side wall 901. The foam-type sealing material
is blocked by the sealing washer 410 and thus does not flow into the
housing 90 over the side wall 901. The mold 440 supports the rotation
shaft 401 of the supply roller 4 and may function as a jig that
determines an installation location of the supply roller 4.

[0105] As the foam-type sealing material hardens, the space 421 is filled
with the hardened sealing material and thus the sealing member 420 is
formed as illustrated in FIG. 17. After forming of the sealing member 420
is completed, the mold 440 is removed. As described above, the sealing
member 420 is located at the outside 903 of the side wall 901 of the
housing 90 and thus may block toner T contained in the housing 90 from
leaking to the outside of the housing 90 through the insertion hole 902.
The sealing member 420 is strongly connected to the housing 90. Thus,
when a rotation force is transmitted to the supply roller 4, the sealing
member 420 is not rotated and only the supply roller 4 is rotated.

[0106] In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 18, two sealing washers 411 and
412 may be combined with the rotation shaft 401 of the supply roller 4
and a foam-type sealing material may be injected between the sealing
washers 411 and 412, thereby forming a sealing member 413. That is, the
sealing washer 411 is disposed inside the side wall 901, or on a side of
the side wall 901 opposite the sealing member 413, and the sealing washer
412 is disposed outside the side wall 901, or on an opposite side of the
side wall 901 as the sealing washer 411. The mold 440 is pressed against
the side wall 901, and the washer 412 may be positioned next to the
surface 441 of the mold 440. The foam-type sealing material flows into
the gap between the insertion hole 902 prepared in the side wall 901 and
the rotation shaft 401 of the supply roller 4. The sealing washer 411
blocks the foam-type sealing material from contaminating the body 402 of
the supply roller 4. As the sealing washer 411 is disposed inside the
side wall 901 and contacts the sealing member 413 only via the gap in the
insertion hole 902, the sealing washer 411 does not securely contact the
sealing member 413. Accordingly, when the supply roller 4 is rotated, the
sealing washer 411 may rotate with the supply roller 4. Then, broken
pieces of the sealing member 413 may be generated by friction between the
foam-type sealing material flowing to the inside of the side wall 901
through the gap between the insertion hole 902 and the rotation shaft 401
and the sealing washer 411. The broken pieces of the sealing member 413
may contaminate the photoconductive drum 1, developing roller 3, supply
roller 4, and the regulator 5 included in the housing 90 and cause a
printing error or a defect of the developer 100. Also, the sealing washer
412 located outside may be pushed to the outside when the sealing member
413 is formed. As there is no structure supporting the sealing washer
412, a bonding strength between the shaped sealing member 413 and the
sealing washer 412 is weak. Accordingly, when the supply roller 4 is
rotated, the sealing washer 412 is rotated along with the supply roller 4
and the sealing member 413 may be damaged, thereby deteriorating sealing
efficiency.

[0107] However, according to the sealing structure described with
reference to FIGS. 12 through 17, the sealing washer 410 is disposed in
the outside area 903 of the side wall 901 and thus the liquid state
foam-type sealing material does not flow to a gap between the insertion
hole 902 and the rotation shaft 401 of the supply roller 4. Also, when
the foam-type sealing material is foamed and shaped in the space 421, the
sealing washer 410 receives a strong force between the foam-type sealing
material and the side wall 901 and thus is strongly bonded with the
formed sealing member 420. Accordingly, although the supply roller 4 is
rotated, the sealing washer 410 is not rotated and thus broken pieces of
the sealing member 420 due to friction between the sealing washer 410 and
the sealing member 420 are not generated. In addition, although the
supply roller 4 is rotated, the sealing member 420 is not damaged by the
sealing washer 410 and thus the sealing effect of the sealing member 420
is maintained. Moreover, since only one sealing washer 410 is mounted to
each end of the rotation shaft 401, the parts cost may be reduced
compared with the general sealing structure illustrated in FIG. 18.

[0108] According to an embodiment of the present general inventive
concept, the developer 100 is replaceable, and thus may be distributed
separately from the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus.
Referring to FIG. 19, a developing portion 13 in which the developing
roller 3 is installed is connected to the toner container 10, which
contains toner T, via a toner supply window 8. When the toner container
10 and the developing portion 13 are connected to each other, the toner T
may leak through the opening 93 during a distribution or handling
process. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the toner supply window 8 is
closed using a blocking member 80 so that the toner container 10 and the
developing portion 13 may be separated from each other. The blocking
member 80 is removed before the developer 100 is mounted on the main body
700, so that the toner container 10 and the developing portion 13 may be
connected to each other via the toner supply window 8. Then, the toner T
contained in the toner container 10 may be supplied to the developing
portion 13.

[0109] In a conventional developer, a barrier wall member (not
illustrated) to which a blocking film (not illustrated) is attached is
fused on the toner supply window 8, and part of the blocking film is
exposed to the outside of the housing 90. In the conventional developer,
the toner container 10 and the developing portion 13 are connected to
each other by removing the blocking film by pulling out the exposed part
of the blocking film. Thus, in the conventional developer, a process of
attaching the blocking film to the barrier wall member and a process of
fusing the barrier wall member on the inside of the housing 90 need to be
performed, and thus the manufacturing costs increase. In addition, since
the toner container 10 and the developing portion 13 are completely
separated from each other, toner T for a performance test of the
developer needs to be loaded into the developing portion 13 so as to
carry out the performance test of the developer. To this end, a loading
hole (not illustrated) through which the toner T for the performance test
is loaded into the developing portion 13 needs to be formed in the
housing 90, and after the performance test is completed, a process of
closing the loading hole needs to be performed.

[0110] In the developer 100 according to the present general inventive
concept, the blocking member 80 is inserted in the inside of the housing
90 from the outside of the housing 90, thereby closing the toner supply
window 8. Referring to FIG. 19, a pair of rails 9 are disposed on the
toner supply window 8 and extend in a side-to-side lengthwise direction
F1-F2 of the developing roller 3. The rails 9 extend along upper and
lower edges of the toner supply window 8. Referring to FIG. 20, an
insertion hole 970 is formed in outer sidewalls 96 of the housing 90 to
be aligned with the rails 9. The outer sidewalls 96 are side walls that
form the outmost walls of the housing 90. For example, the outer
sidewalls 96 may be the support plates 900 of FIG. 9 that are combined
with the side walls 901 and support the developing roller 3 and the
charging roller 2 installed in the developer 100. In this case, the
insertion hole 970 is formed by penetrating the outer sidewalls 96 and
the side walls 901.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 21, the blocking member 80 includes a blocking
portion 81 that is inserted in the rails 9 and closes the toner supply
window 8, and a bent portion 82 that is bent from the blocking portion
81. The bent portion 82 is disposed at the outside of the housing 90
while the blocking portion 81 is inserted in the rails 9. The bent
portion 82 may serve as a handle when the blocking portion 81 is removed
from the rails 9.

[0112] The blocking member 80 may be manufactured by cutting a flexible
board that may be elastically bent in a desired form. After the board is
cut in the desired form, the bent portion 82 (or the portion-to-be-bent)
may be bent parallel to outer sidewalls 96 of the housing 90, as
illustrated in FIG. 21. In addition, after the board is cut in the
desired form, a bent line 83 may be formed so that the bent portion 82
may be bent with respect to the blocking portion 81 along the bending
line 83, as illustrated in FIG. 22. The bending line 83 may be formed to
be recessed from the surface of the blocking member 80, such as a notch,
for example. In this case, after the blocking portion 81 is inserted in
the rails 9, the bent portion 82 may be bent parallel to the outer
sidewalls 96 of the housing 90 along the bending line 83. Manufacturing
of the blocking member 80 is not limited to the above-described method,
and the blocking member 80 may be manufactured using various methods
including plastic injection molding or the like.

[0113] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 23, a securing portion 971 is disposed on
the outer sidewalls 96. The securing portion 971 secures the bent portion
82 on the outer sidewalls 96 while the blocking portion 81 is inserted in
the rails 9 and the bent portion 82 is bent in a direction parallel to
the outer sidewalls 96. The securing portion 971 may be in the form of a
protrusion so that the securing portion 971 may catch the edges 84 of the
bent portion 82 so that a predetermined force is required to remove the
blocking member 80 from the developer 100. For example, the securing
portion 971 may be designed to overlap the edge of the bent portion 82
sufficiently so that a small shaking force or a gravity force are not
sufficient to remove the blocking member 80 from the developer 100, but
an intentional force may be required.

[0114] The developer 100 may include a communication unit which is
electrically connected to the main body 700 of the image forming
apparatus and transmits information about the developer 100 to the main
body 700 of the image forming apparatus when the developer 100 is
installed in the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus. The
communication unit may include a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM)
unit 950 which may monitor and manage a state of the developer 100. The
CRUM unit 950 may be, for example, installed to the outer sidewalls 96 of
the housing 90 in the developer 100.

[0115]FIG. 27 is a block diagram of CRUM 950 unit according to an
embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring to FIG.
27, the CRUM unit 950 may include a central processing unit (CPU) 951
which performs at least one of authentication and/or encrypted data
communication with the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus by
using its own operating system (O/S). The CRUM unit 950 may further
include a memory unit 952. The CPU 951 may manage the memory unit 952 by
using the O/S. The O/S is prepared for driving the developer 100 and
denotes software for operating general application programs. The CPU 951
may perform initialization by using the O/S separately from a main
controller 710.

[0116] Various types of information related to the developer 100 may be
stored in the memory unit 952. For example, information about a
manufacturer, information about manufactured date, unique information
such as a serial number and model name, various programs, electronic
signature information, and information about the use condition (for
example, the number of pages printed up to date, the number of printable
pages remained, and a remaining amount of toner T) may be stored in the
memory unit 952. Also, information about life of the developer 100 and
setup menu may be stored in the memory unit 952.

[0117] The CRUM unit 950 may further include a crypto module 956, a temper
detector 957, and an interface unit 958. Although not illustrated, the
CRUM unit 950 may further include a clock unit and a random value
generator, wherein the clock unit generates a clock signal and the random
value generator generates a random value for authentication. The CRUM
unit 950 may be in the form of a chip only including the CPU 951 or a
chip including the memory unit 952 and the CPU 951. When the CRUM unit
950 is formed as a chip only including the CPU 951, the O/S may be
provided from an external memory.

[0118] The crypto module 956 allows the CPU 951 to perform authentication
and encrypted data communication with the main controller 710 by
supporting an encryption algorithm. For example, the crypto module 956
may support any algorithm from among four encryption algorithms such as
ARIA, TDES, SEED, and AES symmetric key algorithms. Accordingly, the main
controller 710 needs to support all four encryption algorithms. The main
controller 710 may identify an encryption algorithm used in the CRUM unit
950, perform authentication by using the identified encryption algorithm,
and then perform encrypted data communication. The temper detector 957 is
used to defend various physical hacking attempts, that is, tempering, and
monitors an operational environment such as voltage, temperature,
pressure, frequency, and the like. Thus, when an attempt such as decap is
made, the temper detector 957 removes data or physically blocks the
decap. As the crypto module 956 and the temper detector 957 are included
in the CRUM unit 950, systematic data security may be accomplished by
using both hardware and software.

[0119] The memory unit 952 may include at least one of the group
consisting of an O/S memory 953, a non-volatile memory 954, and a
volatile memory 955. The O/S is stored in the O/S memory 953. Various
data is stored in non-volatile memory 954. For example, various
information such as electronic signature information, various encryption
algorithm information, and information about a state of the developer 100
(for example, remaining amount of toner T, replacement date, the number
of remaining pages to be printed, information about a manufacturer,
manufactured date, serial number, product model name, and A/S
information) may be stored in the non-volatile memory 954. The volatile
memory 955 may be used as a temporary storage needed in an operation.
These memories may be realized in an internal memory included in the CPU
951.

[0120] The interface unit 958 connects the CPU 951 to the main controller
710. For example, the interface unit 958 may be a serial interface or a
wireless interface. With a serial interface, fewer signal connections are
required compared with a parallel interface and thus a cost may be
reduced. Also, the serial interface is appropriate in an operational
environment having electronic noise, such as a printer.

[0121] The CPU 951 performs initialization when a specific event is
performed, for example, when power of the image forming apparatus is
turned on or when the CRUM unit 950 or the developer 100 is separated
from the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus and is installed
again in the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus. The
initialization may include initially operating various application
programs used in the CRUM unit 950, calculating private information
needed in data communication with the main controller 710 of the main
body 700 of the image forming apparatus after the initialization, setting
up a communication channel, initializing a memory value, identifying
replacement time, setting a register value in the CRUM unit 950, and
setting internal and external clock signals.

[0122] In the setting of the register value, functional register values in
the CRUM unit 950 are set so that the CRUM unit 950 may operate in
correspondence to various functional states that are previously set by a
user. Also, in the setting of the internal and external clock signals,
frequency of the external clock signal provided from the main controller
710 of the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus is adjusted to
match the internal clock signal used in the CPU 951 of the CRUM unit 950.
In the identifying of the replacement time, a remaining amount of toner T
that is used so far is identified to estimate a final exhaustion time and
the final exhaustion time is notified to the main controller 710. In the
initialization, when it is determined that a remaining amount of toner T
is already exhausted, the CRUM unit 950 may inform the main controller
710 a state that an operation is impossible after the initialization is
completed. Since the CRUM unit 950 includes the CPU 951 and its own O/S,
data regarding the remaining amounts or refilling numbers of consumable
supplies stored in the memory unit 952 may be identified before the main
controller 710 requests communication with the CRUM unit 950 when power
of the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus is turned on.
Accordingly, the time required to determine whether there is a lack of
consumable supplies may be reduced compared to a device in which the data
is calculated based on a request from the main controller 710. For
example, if toner T is not enough, a user may allow formation of an image
by converting a mode into a toner saving mode directly after power is on

[0123] The CPU 951 does not respond to a command of the main controller
710 until the initialization is completed. The main controller 710 waits
for a response of the CPU 951 by periodically transmitting a command to
the CPU 951 until the response of the CPU 951 is received. When the
response is received in the main controller 710, authentication is
performed between the main controller 710 and the CPU 951.

[0124] Due to the O/S installed in the CRUM unit 950, authentication may
be performed through an interaction between the CRUM unit 950 and the
main controller 710 of the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus.
The main controller 710 of the main body 700 of the image forming
apparatus may perform initialization of the image forming apparatus
separately from the initialization of the CRUM unit 950. In this case,
due to a size of the system, initialization of the CRUM unit 950 is
completed before the initialization of the image forming apparatus. When
the initialization of the CRUM unit 950 is completed, the CRUM unit 950
may operate an encryption algorithm as the CRUM unit 950 includes the
O/S. That is, the encryption algorithm is operated in response to the
command from the main controller 710, and bi-directional authentication
between the main controller 710 and the CRUM unit 950 may be accomplished
instead of one-directional authentication of the main controller 710
according to the operation of the encryption algorithm.

[0125] The authentication may be accomplished by using various methods.
For example, the main controller 710 transmits a command requesting
authentication to the CPU 951 when a response is received from the CPU
951. In this case, the main controller 710 may transmit an arbitrary
random value R1 to the CPU 951 along with the command. When the CPU 951
receives the command requesting authentication and the random value R1,
the CPU 951 generates a session key by using a random value R2 generated
by itself and the received random value R1 and generates a message
authentication code (MAC) by using the generated session key. Then, the
CPU 951 transmits the generated MAC, previously stored electronic
signature information, and the random value R2 to the main controller
710.

[0126] When it is identified that the received electronic signature
information is correct by examining the received electronic signature
information, the main controller 710 generates a session key by itself by
using the received random value R2 and the previously generated random
value R1 and generates a MAC by using the generated session key. The MAC
is examined by identifying whether the generated MAC is the same as the
received MAC. According to the examination result, whether the
authentication succeeds is determined. As such, information for
authentication or a random value while transmitting the command may be
applied to oppose to malicious seizure attempts from a third party.

[0127] When the authentication succeeds, the main controller 710 and the
CPU 951 of the CRUM unit 950 perform encrypted data communication. The
CRUM unit 950 has its own O/S and thus may execute an arbitrary
encryption algorithm. Accordingly, the encryption algorithm is applied to
data transmitted from the main controller 710 so as to detect a MAC and
thus justification or verification of the data is determined. When it is
determined that the data is verified, an operation according to the data
is performed. When it is determined that the data is incorrect, the data
may be removed directly after being received. In this case, the
controller 710 may be notified of a problem in data communication.

[0128] The encrypted data communication is performed in such a way that an
encrypted MAC is transmitted along the data to be transmitted by using
the previously set encryption algorithm and key. The data to be
transmitted is changed each time and thus the MAC transmitted with the
data is also changed each time. Accordingly, even if a third party
intervenes in the data communication and identifies the MAC, the third
party may not hack into subsequent data communication by using the MAC
and thus the data communication is strongly secured. A storage unit 720
stores a key value needed in authentication, a plurality of encryption
algorithms, information about the developer 100, and information about
the use condition of the developer 100.

[0129] The main controller 710 may access a memory in the CRUM unit 950
after the main controller 710 transmits an access command to the CPU 951
included in the CRUM unit 950 and receives a response from the CPU 951.
In this regard, the CRUM unit 950 is different from a general CRUM unit
which is only formed of a memory and performs simple reading/recording
operation of data.

[0130] When a printing operation is completed, the main controller 710
produces information about use of toner T and stores the information in
the storage unit 720. Also, the information about use of toner T may be
transmitted to the CRUM unit 950. Accordingly, when a specific event (for
example, when the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus is reset
or when it is determined that toner T is exhausted) is generated or when
a certain period comes, information about the consumable supplies is
compared in the storage unit 720 and the CRUM unit 950 so as to identify
whether data is normally recorded in the CRUM unit 950 and to accurately
manage the replacement time of the developer 100.

[0131] The CRUM unit 950 may include a plurality of electrical contact
point portions 960 for electrically connecting to the main body 700.

[0132] In the developer 100 according to the present general inventive
concept, the bent portion 82 may also serve as a protection portion that
covers and protects the communication unit including the CRUM unit 950.
In detail, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the bent portion 82 may cover an
upper portion of the CRUM unit 950 while being bent parallel to the outer
sidewalls 96 of the housing 90. The securing portion 971 may secure the
bent portion 82 on the outer sidewalls 96 when the bent portion 82 covers
the CRUM unit 950.

[0133] As illustrated in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the developer 100 according to
the present general inventive concept may further include a toner leakage
prevention member 972 that prevents leakage of the toner T via the
insertion hole 970. The toner leakage prevention member 972 may be an
elastic member such as a sponge or the like. The toner leakage prevention
member 972 may be attached to the outer sidewalls 96 of the housing 90 by
using a double-sided tape so as to cover at least part of the insertion
hole 970. The blocking member 80 may be inserted in the housing 90 via
the insertion hole 970 while pushing the toner leakage prevention member
972.

[0134] As illustrated in FIG. 23A, when the blocking member 80 is inserted
into the insertion hole 970, the toner leakage prevention member 972
presses against the blocking member 80 to prevent any leakage of toner.
As illustrated in FIG. 23B, when the blocking member 80 is removed from
the insertion hole 970, the elastic nature of the toner leakage
prevention member 972 causes the toner leakage prevention member 972 to
expand to cover the insertion hole 970 to prevent toner from leaking from
the insertion hole 970.

[0135] The toner T is charged in the toner container 10 while the blocking
member 80 is not installed at the developer 100 after the developer 100
has been manufactured. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the toner
container 10 is connected to the developing portion 13 via the toner
supply window 8. The performance test of the developer 100 is performed
in this state. When the performance test is completed, as illustrated in
FIG. 24, the blocking member 80 is inserted in the rails 9 through the
insertion hole 970. In this case, the toner T does not need to remain on
the developing portion 13. To this end, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the
blocking member 80 may be inserted in the rails 9 while the developing
portion 13 is oriented upwards and the toner T contained in the
developing portion 13 is recovered to the toner container 10. In other
words, if the direction B2 corresponds to the ground and the direction B1
is opposite B2, then the developer may be oriented to that the opening 93
faces the direction B1 and the container 20 is oriented in the direction
B2 with respect to the opening 93.

[0136] When the blocking portion 81 is completely inserted in the rails 9,
the toner supply window 8 is closed so that the toner container 10 and
the developing portion 13 may be isolated from each other. As illustrated
in FIG. 23, the bent portion 82 is disposed parallel to the outer
sidewalls 96 of the housing 90, and the edges 84 of the bent portion 82
are caught in the securing portion 971, thereby securing the bent portion
82 on the outer sidewalls 96. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 26, the bent
portion 82 is secured on the outer sidewalls 96 while covering the CRUM
unit 950, thereby preventing damage of the CRUM unit 950 due to physical
or electrical shock during the distribution process.

[0137] The bent portion 82 is released from the securing portion 971
before the developer 100 is mounted on the main body 700 of the image
forming apparatus, and the bent portion 82 is grasped and pulled out in
an opposite direction to a direction in which the bent portion 82 is
inserted, and the blocking member 80 is removed from the housing 90.
Then, the toner container 10 and the developing portion 13 are connected
to each other via the toner supply window 8. Next, when the developer 100
is mounted on the main body 700 of the image forming apparatus, the CRUM
unit 950 may be electrically connected to the main body 700 and may
transmit information about the developer 100 to the main body 700.

[0138] Although a monochromic image forming apparatus including one
developer 100 has been illustrated in the previous embodiments, the scope
of the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. In the
case of a color image forming apparatus, four developers 100 in which
toners having colors such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black
(K) are contained, may be employed.

[0139] While the present general inventive concept has been particularly
shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it
will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept as defined
by the following claims.